Desert Hot Springs Youth Violence Committee Discusses Solutions

Gang violence is on the decline in Desert Hot Springs, according to the Police department, and the newly created Youth Violence and Gang Intervention Committee wants to keep it that way.

The ad-hoc committee held it’s first meeting Monday at the Carl May Community Center.

More than 200 gang members live in Desert Hot Springs, and from 2010 through now, six of the eight homicides recorded citywide are gang related, according to police. One of the youngest suspects is just 13 years old.

In recent years, two gang injunctions and a gang sweep called Operation Falling Sun have decreased the amount of crime, but the city said more needs to be done.

“Up until now, we haven’t had a set program and activities that are directly related to youth violence — especially gang prevention,” said councilman Adam Sanchez, chair of the new ad-hoc committee.

Councilman Scott Matas will co-chair.

Three public safety commissioners round out the five-member panel.

“You have violence, not only from gang members in the community, but you have kids that are just in school everyday violence,” said Matas.

Throughout the next year, the committee will work with youth sports and other programs, in and outside of the city, to develop a plan to keep young people busy — especially high school and middle school students, city officials said.

Ruben Russel said he just moved to Desert Hot Springs. He grew up in Compton, and he said he doesn’t want the kids in his new community to experience what he has.

“If there’s any way that I can help bring my experience to the table, or whatever, I volunteer to do that,” said Russell.

The committee will meet the first Monday of every month for the next year. It will thenreport it’s recommendations to the city council.